Rule #2: Seize the moment to act on your goals. Manage your To-Do List and be careful what you react to. In a Digital Era in which somebody somewhere/some company is always fighting for your eyeball, what you click on or react to in determines not only the direction of your day but the outcome of your day, but importantly, of your goal(s). It's all about efficiency, timing, and situational awareness.

Rule #3: Know exactly how far you have left to go. Again, both #1 (above) & perhaps the discipline stressed in the Success Shorts Series together with the steady improvement of decisiveness as a

a skill, are key requisites in managing the 2nd and 3rd rule.

Rule #4: Be a realistic optimist. There's nothing wrong with positive thinking but Dr. Grant Halvorson warns:“don't underestimate how difficult it will be to reach your goal. Most goals worth achieving require time, planning, effort, and persistence. Studies show that thinking things will come to you easily and effortlessly leaves you ill-prepared...and significantly increases the odds of failure.” So be realistic.

for unlearning and relearning new skills, tactics and strategies. The author hasmore than adequatelyaddressed that above and also, here. But as Alvin Toffler put it:“The illiterates of the future are not those who cannot read or write. They are those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” And I see them all around. Even online.

Rule #6: Have & sharpen your grit ceaselessly.“Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals, and to persist in the face of difficulty.”This statement of fact alone describes my current challenge. Those who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths or up their behinds, like all others intensely focused on worthy goals have neither the temerity nor luxury to waste precious time mistaking vitriol for grit. Because talent is universal & opportunity

isn't, the breakthrough ideas here comprise the contention thatthose “who lack grit more often than not believe that they just don't have the innate abilities successful people have.” And further, with regard to the implicit nod to the role and importance of passion, which Bishop T.D. Jakes addresses at the end of this blog, Francis Bacon offers a great challenge. “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” Thattoo, requires grit. Not such movies. But the real thing.

Rule #7: Build your self-control/willpower muscle. Revisit2012mantra, and heed the advice ofDr. Grant Halvorson:“Tobuild willpower, take on a challenge [requiring] you to do something you'd honestly rather not do...stand up straight when you catch yourself slouching, try to learn a new skill. When you find yourself wanting to give in, give up, or just not bother — don't. Start with just one activity, and make a plan for how you will deal with troubles when they occur ("If I have a craving for a snack, I will eat one piece of fresh or three pieces of dried fruit.") It will be hard in the beginning, but it will get easier, and that's the whole point. As your strength grows,

you can take on more challenges and step-up your self-control workout.” Backing up the foregoing, are these.

Rule #9: Focus on what you will do, NOT what you won't do. As always, the great Henry Ford said it best:“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off our goal.”These are the breakthrough ideas challengingme right now. What I learned in March 2012, and what I'm working on...incrementally, as you read this. And what I'm sharing with friends and loved ones. Hope it helps you too.